zChapter 791 - Human Life (2/2)
She said: “Does Noble Lady Li really know witchcraft? In regards to the witchcraft that the Miao people use, I know a little bit about it. Based on what I know, Noble Lady Li is not someone that was raised by the Miao.”
Once this question came out, Xuan Tian Feng laughed a bitter laugh. It was a very helpless and bitter laugh. He told Feng Yu Heng: “How could she know any witchcraft? It all came from some hearsay about being able to harm others by stabbing a little figure with a name written on it.” As he spoke, another layer of bitterness appeared on his face, “In truth, my mother is a very cowardly person with a weak personality. When she first entered the imperial palace, she was always bullied. You also know that the inner palace is much like a battlefield. She could not beat anyone openly and could only hold it in her heart to think of ways to secretly vent her anger. Who could have known she would be discovered and would nearly lose her life. Later on, the matter was only dropped because it was discovered that she was pregnant with me. But nothing really happened to the person that was stabbed. Even last time at the hunting ground, did anything happen to you after that little figure was stabbed?”
Feng Yu Heng shook her head, “Nothing happened.”
Xuan Tian Feng spread his hands, “Don’t be scared and don’t take it to heart. That person is just like that. That’s just her way of venting her frustrations. In truth, she doesn’t know anything about witchcraft. It’s all just her messing around.” After he finished speaking, he was worried that she would not believe it and continued: “I only heard about the earlier matter after growing up, and I secretly investigated it. I even asked her about it, and it is indeed just for her to vent. She doesn’t know how. She really does not.”
Feng Yu Heng trusted Xuan Tian Feng. She had also interacted with Noble Lady Li. If she really knew how to use witchcraft, she should not have given up her hand so easily. Also, she had never succeeded in so many years. But she still remembered seeing Noble Lady Li running away from Winter Moon Palace, thus she had to remind him: “Currently, Noble Lady Li has been confined to Jing Si Palace. Father Emperor still has not said that she could be let out, but sixth brother going to visit her is fine. Sixth brother, advise noble lady a bit more. One extra matter is worse than one less matter. Taking care of your own health is most important. She must not disobey Father Emperor’s intentions because she could not figure things out.”
Xuan Tian Feng nodded and agreed. The two chatted about something else for a while. Standing outside, it had become a bit cold. Only then did the two return to Ming Zhi Palace.
At this time, a new play was on stage. The play was about a large house celebrating the new year. It was very lively and did not have much of a plot. It was just about the celebration and to improve the atmosphere. After she sat down, she looked toward Xuan Tian Ming’s side and saw that he was chatting with the Emperor, but he cast a look in her direction at the moment she sat down. The two smiled at each other, and this was worth a thousand words.
The Emperor had drank a bit much, and the Empress could not say much from the side. She could only smile and eat seeds with the imperial concubines. As for the little exchange of glances between Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng, it was clearly seen by the Emperor, as he very unhappily said: “Look, you little brat, you’re exchanging flirtatious glances with your wife. You also know that your heart will be flustered when you won’t be able to see her. Can’t you think about your old man a bit? I also want to see my wife!”
These words were said a bit loudly, as both the Empress and Imperial Concubine Gu Xian heard them clearly. The two helplessly let out a bitter laugh, as Imperial Concubine Gu Xian said: “Thinking about it now, I really don’t know how we slept together at that time.”
The Empress also said: “You’re much better off than this One. In any case, you have a son. Although Qi’er does not pay attention to the battles in court, the imperial treasury was taken care of by him. He is the most stable child, and you have someone to rely on. This One really has it hard.”
Imperial Concubine Gu Xian understood what she meant. She had the position of Empress, but it was an empty position. She was without son or daughter, and it really was difficult for her to have survived for such a long time. “In any case, you are the central palace.” Imperial Concubine Gu Xian could only console her using these words, “To all of the princes, you are their mother. In the future, regardless of who ascends the throne, you will be the proper empress dowager. You will not suffer in this lifetime.”
The Empress smiled bitterly, “This One knows. Even if I am without child, it’s fine. Otherwise, this position would never have come to me. Thinking back to when I assumed the position of empress, so many people watched with red eyes but in secret, they placed all manners of fetters; however, there weren’t many that could see as clearly as you, Imperial Concubine Xian.”
The two quietly chatted while feeling incredibly bitter. Back at the Emperor’s side, he continued to hold onto Xuan Tian Ming and refused to let him go. He just continued to say: “As long as you can get your Imperial Concubine Mother out of Winter Moon Palace, or if you can send Us into Winter Moon Palace, Ming’er, We will give you anything that you want. Even if you want this country, We will cup Our hands and give it to you.”
The Empress and Imperial Concubine Gu Xian were the ones closest and could hear these words. The two smiled bitterly once more, as Imperial Concubine Gu Xian said: “The things said after getting drunk are the deftest, but these years, if he really had any intention of announcing a crown prince, he would have done it long ago.”
The Empress also said: “That’s right! He looks foolish, but he’s clearer than anyone else. He is not someone that would give up the country just for some personal feelings. In his heart are Da Shun and the many successive generations of ancestors. He also wants to choose the best. Even if it’s not what that person desires, as long as they are worthy of Da Shun, that would be the one he places his hopes in the most.”
These same words were being said by Xuan Tian Ming to the Emperor, openly seeing through his intentions. He even said: “Don’t you just want to see who is most able to support this country between me and eighth brother? Forget it, I also want to see if he is capable. If he is, I won’t fight to take this country. If he isn’t, I will take care of this for you.”
As the father and child spoke about the grand matters of the country, Zhang Yuan had been called to the side by a eunuch that had come with news from the outside. The eunuch whispered: “Eunuch Yuan, it’s not good. Something happened in the palace. Two young misses were killed!”